The sixth CAADP- PP ends with more commitment of investment on agriculture
JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, April 26, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The two-day Sixth Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program Partnership Platform (CAADP-PP) meeting, which was organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Planning and Coordinating Agency concluded Friday 23 April 2010 in Johannesburg, with more commitments on increasing investment in the agricultural sector.
With the understanding of the key role of agricultural development for the socio-economic advancement and political stability of the continent, the meeting celebrated the significance of extended efforts on agricultural investments at country level.
The main goals of the sixth CAADP-PP meeting incorporated; facilitating mutual review of progress, performance and challenges in advancing the CAADP agenda; dialogue on implementation priorities and processes; and fostering alignment and coherency in moving forward the CAADP agenda.
During the meeting, AUC/NEPAD and development partners noted the progress in defining a post-compact strategy to complete the design of investment plans, and agreed on funding and policy related modalities of implementing these plans. Apart from that, the meeting commended with satisfaction, the rapid acceleration of the CAADP agenda implementation by Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and their member states.
In this meeting, agreement was also made on the following issues; amongst others;
Considering the comprehensive nature of the CAADP agenda and the need to promote its broad ownership within government and other stakeholder groups. The meeting recommended changing the name of the investment plans to “Agricultural and Food Security Investment Plans”.
Emphasis was given on the need for NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) to better coordinate with RECs to ensure the CAADP implementation process at the country level.
The meeting also stressed on the need for all parties to ensure sufficient country leadership in the post compact process as well as inclusive engagement of farmer organizations, the private sector and civil society organizations.
The meeting noted the progress of several countries in their budget share for agricultural development, especially after the Maputo Declaration, while looking into the implementation of the Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEF) as a cause of concern in being a constraint to the increase in budget allocation, as indicated in case studies in Ghana and Uganda.
In her closing remarks, Mrs.Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture at the AUC said “The Sixth CAADP Partnership Platform has further reinforced our partnership and our determination to heighten our collective efforts towards the realization of the objectives of the CAADP in matching with the resolve reaffirmed by our Heads of States, the revitalized country-level processes and the increased support from our partners.”
She urged for collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure the quality of agriculture and food security investment plans at the country level and to ensure that they are funded.
Prof. Richard Mkandawire, Agriculture Advisor at the NPCA recommended that the country-level implementation should be maintained. He also commended the development partners for their support to the CAADP implementation.
Participants at the Sixth CAADP-PP included government officials, the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA); AUC; Regional Economic Communities; development partners; African Ministers of agriculture; farmers’ organisations, civil society and the private sector.
SOURCE
African Union Commission (AUC)
